Definition of + and - strands for human genome

Question

[Apprentice]

Hi.

As you know, UCSC genome browser named two DNA strands of human genome "+" and "-" strands. I would like to know how one of the two DNA strands was defined as a + strand and the other was defined as a - strand.

Could you tell me the definitions of + and - strands?

[Ram]

Check out this Wikipedia entry (the first result in googling “plus strand”): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sense_(molecular_biology)

Always try and search online before asking a question on a forum. You’ll end up finding the answer yourself in most situations and there’s some added joy in that.

Answer 1

[GenoMax]

See: Conventions For Designating Forward And Reverse Strands